Floodplain Construction Information

Regulatory Implications

Wellington uses the results of the current set of Flood Insurance Rate Maps and its accompanying Flood Insurance Study to guide compliance and site planning. Use the Flood Map Viewers to locate property within Wellington.

Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances

It is the purpose of the Village of Wellington’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:

• Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers that are involved in the accommodation of flood waters
• Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increased erosion or flood damage
• Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which may unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands
• Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction
• Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities

Floodplain Permitting

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires participating counties and municipalities to issue permits for all development in the floodplain. Development is broadly defined by the NFIP to include any man-made change to land, including:

• Construction or improvement of structures
• Dredging
• Extraction
• Filling
• Grading
• Storage
• Subdivision of land

Rules on Proposed Development

Proposed development must not increase flooding or create a dangerous situation during flooding, especially on neighboring properties. If a structure is involved, it must be constructed to minimize damage during flooding. Permitting officials work with applicants to discourage development in the floodplain wherever possible, but when unavoidable, the effects of development must be minimized.

The permitting review is a requirement for continued community participation in the NFIP. Violations can not only jeopardize a community's standing in the NFIP as they can impact the ability of residents to obtain flood insurance. If you see development occurring without permits, protect your rights by reporting violators to your local permit office.

Elevation of New & Substantially Improved Structures

Substantially improved structures are those where the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvements equals or exceeds 50% of the building's market value. Substantially improved structures are subject to the same elevation standards as new structures. Check with your local permit office for specific requirements.

Elevation Certificates

To verify that a building has been properly elevated, building officials require the completion of an Elevation Certificate by a professional engineer or surveyor. After the lowest floor is in place, its elevation above sea level is determined by a survey. The Elevation Certificate is part of the permit record and must be submitted before the building may be occupied.

Further information on the requirements for floodplain development, the permitting process and Elevation Certificates, please email the Building Department or call at 561-753-2430 or 561-363-7907.